District Respectable Use Policy

The District is providing its employees and students (“users”) with access to computing equipment, systems and local network functions such as District e-mail and the internet.

This access has a limited educational purpose for students and is to facilitate employees’ work productivity.

Benson Public School District’s Internet and Computer Use Policy Statement:

The Benson Public School District’s Respectable Use Policy (RUP) is intended to prevent unauthorized access and other unlawful activities by users online, prevent unauthorized disclosure of or access to sensitive information, and to comply with Children’s Internet Protection Act (CIPA). As used in this policy, “user” includes anyone using the computers, Internet, email, chat rooms, YouTube, Facebook, and other forms of direct electronic communication or equipment provided by the District (the “network”). The District will use technology protection measures to block or filter, to the degree possible, access of visual depictions that are obscene, pornographic, and harmful to minors over the network.

USE OF THE SYSTEM IS A PRIVILEGE

The District reserves the right to monitor users’ online activities and to access, review, copy, and store or delete any electronic communications or files and disclose them to others as it deems necessary. Users should have no expectation of privacy regarding their use of District property, network, and/or Internet access or files, including email. Access is a privilege, not a right. Therefore, based upon the acceptable use guidelines outlined in this policy, the administration will deem what is inappropriate use and their decisions are final. Upon identification of inappropriate use of network services access may be denied, revoked, or suspended at any time. Misuse may also lead to disciplinary and/or legal action for both students and employees.

UNACCEPTABLE USES

1. Users will not use the school district system to access, review, upload, download, store, print, post, receive, transmit or distribute:

a. pornographic, obscene or sexually explicit material or other visual depictions that is harmful to minors;

c. materials that use language or images that are inappropriate in the education setting or disruptive to the educational process;

d. information or materials that could cause damage or danger of disruption to the educational process;
e. materials that use language or images that advocate violence or discrimination toward other people (hate literature) or that may constitute harassment or discrimination.

2. Users may not use the school district system to knowingly or recklessly post, transmit or distribute false or defamatory information about a person or organization, or to harass another person, or to engage in personal attacks, including prejudicial or discriminatory attacks.

3. Users may not use the school district system to engage in any illegal act or violate any local, state or federal statute or law.

4. Users may not use the school district system to gain unauthorized access to information resources, or to access or use another person’s material, information or files without written permission from that person.

5. Users may not use the District’s network for political lobbying or other political purposes.

6. Users may not directly or indirectly make connections that create “backdoors” to the District that allow unauthorized access to the District’s network. Users may not bypass District content filter without authorization. This includes the use of “proxy” sites. The District has procedures in place to evaluate requests from users to block or unblock sites as necessary.

7. Users may not use the school district system for conducting business, for unauthorized commercial purposes or for financial gain unrelated to the mission of the District. Users may not use the “system” to offer or provide goods or services or for product advertisement. Users may not use the “system” to purchase goods or services for personal use.

8. Users may not waste technology resources, including bandwidth, file space, and printers, among others.

9. Users may not share their password(s) with others and/or allow others to use your account(s).

10. Users will promptly report to their teacher or other school employee any inappropriate material viewed, inappropriate message received, or anyone witnessed abusing computer privileges.

LIMITATION ON DISTRICT LIABILITY

Use of the District system is at the user’s own risk. The system is provided on an “as is, as available” basis. The District will not be responsible for any damage users may suffer, including, but not limited to, loss, damage or unavailability of data stored on school district disks, tapes, hard drives or servers, external hard drives, regardless of the cause. The District is not responsible for the accuracy or quality of any advice or information obtained through or stored on the District system. The District will not be responsible for financial obligations arising from unauthorized use of the District system or the internet.

I have read, understand, and agree to abide by the provisions of the RUP of the Benson Public School District #777.

Student Name: ______________________________________

Student Signature: ___________________________________

School: _______________________________ Date: ______________________

Parent/Guardian Name:________________________________

Parent/Guardian Signature: _____________________________

Staff Name: _________________________________________

Staff Signature: ______________________________________

Return this signed form to your homeroom teacher or to your school office.